We talked yesterday about fellowship and in particular how Jesus having risen from the dead went to a beach and cooked breakfast. Do you enjoy a good walk after breakfast or do you prefer to just collapse in a chair?
Peter did not have that choice – a walk along the beach is what happened next. Notice not all walked along the beach, Jesus just called Peter. It is interesting to know that Jesus still had a plan and a purpose for Peter.
We all know the story of Peter’s denial and for many of us that would be it, you’re finished, Peter. Not so with Jesus. I want to encourage you today that no matter where you were with or without Jesus before lockdown Jesus is still here and still has a plan and a purpose for our lives.
For Peter, that plan was in some way what we talked about yesterday – fellowship. Jesus had to ask Peter how desperately do you want fellowship with Jesus. He brings Peter to the point where Peter says how much he loved Jesus and how much fellowship was indeed what he wanted. Jesus then kept saying follow me.
The same is true for you and me. If we want fellowship with Jesus we must follow him and so on to the next point. Peter was about to find out exactly what following Jesus would lead to.
“My Lord, you know everything. You know that I burn with love for you!” Jesus replied, “Then feed my lambs!”
John 21:17 The Passion Translation
Peter was given a commission and Peter did just that. We also know that Peter died the exact way that Jesus had said. Peter knew he was forgiven not washed up as he looked out to sea on that beach with the waves coming in and out. Peter knew total forgiveness, total restoration and a new way of life in Jesus. That is what Easter is about – a new way of life and resurrection life that is ours just for the asking.
Your life is not washed up no matter what you have gone through in this last year. You will come out of this lockdown and I hope it will be in a sense a new life that springboards you into a real fellowship with Jesus and a service whatever Jesus wants you to do or wherever He wants you to go.
We need friends and family to accomplish our purposes and plans and fellowship is to be key to enable us to accomplish all God has for us.
I hope when we finally come out of this ordeal you will be spring-boarded it into a much better future than the one that you’ve experienced in this last year.
Stay safe and blessed